Pages

Friday, April 19, 2013

IRAN EARTHQUAKE

Rolando Banzon and his family after evacuating his Abu Dhabi residential building

The ‘powerful earthquake struck a border area of southeast
Iran on Tuesday killing at least 35 people in neighbouring Pakistan, destroying
hundreds of houses and shaking buildings as far away as India and Gulf Arab
states.’ I was in Dubai at that time, I still am, and according the National
Centre of Meteorology here, the impact of the earthquake, measured between 4
and 5 on the Richter scale, was felt all over the United Arab Emirates.

I related what I witnessed in these words on my Facebook
page:

“About an hour or so ago, for the first time in my
life, I experienced earthquake tremors – a spillage of the Iranian earthquake;
the magnitude was immense especially in the Sharjah area. The hotel (Flora
Creek Apartment, Dubai), in which my family and I are staying, suddenly turned
into a mighty swing, turning from one side to another – everything was
virtually swinging. We all rushed to the reception; there was nothing anybody
could but wait in horror until Allah accomplished His purpose!

"Life is indeed short. I may not have been able to
write or even post this to dear friends, if Allah had declared that my time was
up. Is it not time for hearts to turn to Allah and repent? O Allah! Forgive us…….”

‘Police in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah confirmed there were
no injuries, crashes or damage as a result of the quake, but hundreds of people
were evacuated from buildings. Many began fleeing while the ground was still
shaking, using elevators instead of stairs and crowding outside. Some panicked
and ran to exits, screaming.’ Before I could collect myself and locate the
shortest and safest way to the reception desk, my family was already there.
What! Is it Yaumul Qiyaamah already, when children will flee from their
parents?

People standing outside their houses and offices in Dubai

My youngest daughter, Aishah, on a light mood, did not forget
her bag of sweets. We all met at the reception of the hotel; and nobody could
explain what was happening or suggest what could be done. A long chandelier at
the middle of the Reception was the right pendulum for us to measure the
swinging of the entire building as it dangled from point to point, while we
watched wide-eyed in fear! Some of us rushed outside; a Kuwaiti family stopped
the police vehicle patrolling Deira area. The wife said, complaining to the
officer, 'The hotel is swinging, please...'

The police officer answered, 'Madam, all Dubai is turning,
just pray.........'

Experts said ‘if there is an earthquake, it is advised you
drop to the ground and take cover under strong furniture, such as a table. Hold
on, cover your head and neck and wait until the shaking has stopped before you
exit the building. Moving during a quake increases your risk of injury.’ It is
easier said than done. Hardly will people remember anything at the time of
emergencies, though workers here take regular drills on how to conduct
themselves during such happenings.

The experts further advised that people should ‘calmly
evacuate using the staircase and go to an open area away from buildings and
power lines.’ But is there much place in Dubai, for instance, where one can stay
away from buildings, with all these ubiquitous skyscrapers? What would happen were
the earth to cave in beneath these tall buildings and their zenith hurl on
pedestrians?

Seismologists may give reasons of earthquakes as resulting
from the sudden breakage of ‘underground along a fault line. This sudden
release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two
blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a
little. They don't just slide smoothly; the rocks catch on each other. The
rocks are still pushing against each other, but not moving. After a while, the
rocks break because of all the pressure that has built up. When the rocks
break, the earthquake occurs. During the earthquake and afterward, the plates
or blocks of rock start moving, and they continue to move until they get stuck
again. The spot underground where the rock breaks is called the focus of the
earthquake. The place right above the focus (on top of the ground) is called the
epicentre of the earthquake.’

Workers evacuate building in Dubai Media City

Where Muslims accept the above explanation as to how
earthquakes occur, they further search for why Allah will cause this to happen?
Is it a way of showing Allah’s Signs in the universe until it becomes manifest
to all that His message is the truth (Fussilat 41:53)? Are we being warned by
these earthquakes (al-Israa’ 17:59)?

Doubtless, these earthquakes are part of Allah’s tokens to
warn His bondsmen against harming themselves by sin and transgression. If we
see earthquakes as misfortunes befalling us, we should also recognise the fact
they are a result of our handiwork; but Allah pardons much, so, let us turn to
Him penitent (ash-Shuurah 42:30)“Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allaah, but whatever
of evil befalls you, is from yourself” [an-Nisaa’ 4:79]

Earthquakes and their tremors should make us revert to Allah,
eschew what He prohibited and strive to attain His pleasure in the world and
the Hereafter; in the hope that He may make us whole, and avert from us all
evils (al-Israa’ 7:96).

Al-‘Allaamah Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: “Allaah sometimes gives the earth permission to breathe, which is when
major earthquakes happen; this makes people feel scared, so they repent, give
up sins, pray to Allaah and feel regret [for their sins]. When there had been
an earthquake, some of the Salaf said: your Lord is warning you. When Madeenah
was struck by an earthquake, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with
you) addressed the people and said: “If there is another earthquake, I will not
stay here with you.”

So, whenever we witness any calamity or Allah’s sign,
earthquake, eclipse, tornadoes or tsunami, we should hasten to Allah, seek
refuge in Him, call on Him and ask for His pardon and forgiveness,as the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said when there was an eclipse: “If you see anything
like that, hasten to remember Him, call on Him and seek His forgiveness.”

The contents of this blog are from my weekly column with LEADERSHIP Friday Newspapers. Therefore, the date of publication here may vary from that on which the original piece appeared on the Leadership column.